Brydon Carse left out of Sri Lanka series squad and told to work through off-field issues

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on September 4, 2026 that Brydon Carse has been excluded from England's white-ball squad for the series against Sri Lanka and will also not feature in the third Test against Pakistan, with the board directing him to address off-field matters stemming from an incident in Derby.

On August 22, 2026, Carse was taken into custody on suspicion of drunk and disorderly conduct outside a Derby bar while celebrating a Durham County Championship victory. He was de-arrested shortly afterwards after agreeing to vacate the area. Derbyshire Police subsequently confirmed that a separate assault inquiry linked to the same night is ongoing, though the extent of Carse's connection to that matter has not been established.

An ECB spokesperson confirmed on September 4 that Carse was fit and available for the Sri Lanka series but was deliberately not selected. The board also confirmed that Carse is subject to a Cricket Regulator investigation into his conduct.

"Whilst Brydon was available for selection, he has not been picked for the Sri Lanka series squad. Given recent events, we feel it is important for him to work through the issues that led to the Derby incident and take time for a proper reset. This decision does not prejudge the outcome of any investigation," said an ECB spokesperson to Cricinfo.

What is the background to Carse's off-field record?

This is not the first time Carse has faced disciplinary action from cricket's governing bodies. In 2024, he received a three-month ban, with a longer ban suspended, for historical breaches of ECB betting rules. That sanction did not derail his international career, and he went on to become a central figure in England's Test attack.

Despite that earlier punishment, Carse cemented his place as one of England's most important pace bowlers. He was England's leading wicket-taker during the 2025-26 Ashes series in Australia, which made his subsequent omission all the more significant. Following the Derby incident, Carse was removed from the second Test squad at Lord's and replaced by uncapped Sonny Baker, before the ECB confirmed on September 4 that he would also miss the third Test at Edgbaston, scheduled to begin on September 9, 2026.

What has England's Test captain said about player conduct?

England Test captain Joe Root addressed the broader issue of player behaviour publicly before the second Test at Lord's, making clear that the Derby incident had wider implications for the team's culture. Root said he was 'really hacked off' that teammates continued to make what he described as stupid mistakes off the field, and he viewed the Derby incident as a catalyst for a wider cultural reset within the group.

The ECB's September 4 statement reinforced that position, making clear the decision to omit Carse is a welfare and conduct measure rather than a prejudgment of any ongoing investigation. The Cricket Regulator's inquiry into Carse's conduct is continuing, and no timeline for its conclusion has been confirmed. England will now look to manage their pace bowling resources across the third Test against Pakistan and the subsequent Sri Lanka white-ball series without one of their most experienced attack options.